A 21-year-old Australian tourist was found dead in a hotel room in Phuket, Thailand, on Wednesday, a day before he was due to fly home. Housekeeping staff discovered the man lying on his bed with a mobile phone resting on his chest, still connected to a call that had been ongoing for approximately 12 hours.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Thanom Thongpaen of Thalang district station reported no signs of assault or theft in the room. The man, born in India and holding an Australian passport, had bandaged injuries on his elbow and wrist from a previous motorcycle accident. Officers found only over-the-counter painkillers and anti-inflammatory medication at the scene.
Thongpaen stated, 'I saw him lying there with a mobile phone resting on his chest. He was still on a call with someone. The line hadn't been disconnected and he had died like that.' He added that the phone screen was dark, but the call duration was visible. Police could not identify the person on the other end of the line.
The day before his death, the man had asked hotel staff to purchase medication for his injuries. Police believe he may have taken the medication before passing away. A cause of death has not been determined, but there were no signs of foul play.
The man had been travelling alone, but a friend who helped him check in was contacted by the hotel. The friend, also an Australian living in the same neighbourhood, informed authorities. The man's relatives have declined an autopsy and requested his body be returned to Australia as soon as possible. The Australian embassy in Bangkok has been notified.
